DIMAPUR, AUGUST 30 (MExN): The Dutch based Naga International Support Center (NISC) has urged the Government of India to look into the shared sovereignty agreement between New Zealand and Niue and how this shared sovereignty is practiced. The NISC in a press note has also asked Delhi to end the ‘tactical divide and rule game’. It has also called for release of all Naga political prisoners and to honor the UNO covenant on the right to self determination of all peoples.
The NISC also issued a note on the ‘Shared Sovereignty concept - New Zealand and Niue’. Taking reference from information available in the public domain, the NISC stated that the pacific Island of Niue located in a remote part of the vast Pacific Ocean far away from any major landmass, can be considered as a semi-Independent national state in a “free association” with New Zealand. The total population of Niue is 1,269 (One thousand and two hundred and sixty nine).
According to the note, Niue has its own flag, its own passport, it has two currency arrangements. One currency arrangement is the New Zealand Dollar, and the other one is more locally used the Niue dollar. According to CIA (Central Intelligence agency fact book), the political arrangement with New Zealand can be described as, “self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue” (CIA INFORMATION ON NIUE, 2012).
Niue residents are entitled to New Zealand Citizenship. It has its own constitution, its own national anthem, the Queen of England is the constitutional head of state, through the Governor General of New Zealand, it was stated.
“If a small population of 1,269 people can live with dignity and peace, have their own flag, currency, constitution and a free shared sovereignty arrangement with New Zealand then India has no excuse not to grant a similar arrangement to a far larger and resource rich Nagalim as the minimum basic interim arrangement to begin with”, stated the NISC note.
The NISC also stated that it was “time to the bigger country to swallow the pride and show respect and statesmanship to unique smaller nations and be part of the solution in giving the young people of Nagalim a future”. “Peace in the North East is a choice, India has to make. The ball is in India’s court. Choices determine the future of millions of people. Let them make the right choices, based on historical truth and moral principles”, the NISC stated.
